| Cavtat | |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Pushpin Map: | Croatia |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | The location of Cavtat within Croatia |
| Coordinates: | 42.5667°N 31°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Croatia |
| Subdivision Type1: | County |
| Subdivision Name1: | Dubrovnik-Neretva County |
| Subdivision Type2: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name2: | Konavle |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 5.8 |
| Elevation M: | 1 |
| Population As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Total: | 2189 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | CET |
| Timezone Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset: | +1 |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | HR-20 210 |
| Area Code: | +385 20 |
| Blank Name: | Licence plate |
| Blank Info: | DU |
Cavtat (pronounced as /hr/,[2] it|Ragusa Vecchia|lit=Old [[Ragusa (Croatia)|Ragusa]]) is a village[3] in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia. It is on the Adriatic Sea coast 15km (09miles) south of Dubrovnik and is the centre and the main settlement of Konavle municipality.
See main article: Epidaurum.
The original city was founded by the Greeks settlers from Corinth[4] in the 6th century BC under the name of Epidaurus (or Epidauros, el|Ἐπίδαυρος).[5] [6] The surrounding area was inhabited by the Illyrians, who called the city Zaptal.[7]
The town changed its name to Epidaurum when it came under Roman rule in 228 BC. Justinian I the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire sent his fleet to Cavtat during the Gothic War (535–554)[8] and occupied the town.
The city was sacked and destroyed by the Avars and Slavs in the 7th century.[9] Refugees from Epidaurum fled to the nearby island, Laus (Ragusa) which over time evolved into the city of Dubrovnik.[10]
The town was re-established in the Middle Ages (it|Ragusa Vecchia).[11] [12] After a short while it came under the control of its powerful neighbor, the Republic of Ragusa.
The modern Croatian name for the city reveals its ancient origins and its link with Dubrovnik. Cavtat is derived from Latin: Civitas Vetus, which means old city in Latin Language.
Today, Cavtat is a popular tourist destination with many hotels and private households that rent rooms and apartments. The seafront is filled with shops and restaurants. There are several beaches in Cavtat and its surroundings, among them Pasjača, as well as Ključice, Obod, Rat and Žal. A ferry boat connects the town to neighbouring Mlini and Dubrovnik. There are often many private luxury ships and yachts along the strand.
It was named most popular honeymoon destination in Europe for 2023 by European Best Destinations.[13]
The town cemetery on the hill contains a mausoleum belonging to the Račić family and decorated by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović.
In year 2004 Cavtat got the title European Competition for Towns and Villages in Blooms, especially for the well-tended green areas and flower arrangements on the beach promenade.[14]
The Epidaurus Festival of Music[15] has been held annually in Cavtat since 2007.
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Croatia.
Cavtat is twinned with:
Bochnia, Poland